Sunday, August 28, 2011

Chicks, One by One

New since yesterday, the latest from Zelda and Puff's chicks and eggs.


A vigorous pipping came from under a wing. Another chick is breaking out!

The first chick to hatch bears a perfect resemblance to Zoltar, her bantam papa. Unfortunately she is not faring too well. It seems as though she came out too soon. She is frail and unsteady. We drop water in her beak and check her frequently. However long her life will be, we are trying to make it as good as possible. Her mamas are attentive too. Zoltar, was called Zoe as a chick, when we were wishing for a hen. His first daughter, will bear his first name... Zoe means life.


Happily, this second egg broke open with a confident pecking and pushing, and very little aide from the watchful mamas.


We sat closely, sighing and waiting, and eager for each new push, as the shell slowly broke apart.


Yellow, and bantam colors! Wet feathers, and limbs akimbo.


And suddenly!

Hello!

She has her mama's blue beak, and her father's variegated feathers... browns and golds. She seems stronger. Maybe her warmth and coaxing will encourage her sister. They nestled together right away, which was dear to see.


All eyes are on these little ones.

And nine more eggs are tucked safely away under wings and feathers.

7 comments:

Beckie said...

Awe-mazing!!!!!

maddams said...

Good day Natalie,
After an unsuccessful visit to a KFC, I searched long and hard for a blogspot site exclusively operated by KFC affiliates, in order to file a formal complaint regarding my bitter experiences at their chicken joint, but I could not find such a blog, instead I found this one. A perfectly respectable (and quite professional) blog about family, friends, and... chickens. Now don't get me wrong, I love chickens, they're great... when they are tasty. But nothing bothers me more than bad meat... and KFC's meat was certainly no treat. As I'm sure you noticed, I tend to a blog about eating meat... feel free to look at the blog... I haven't worked on it as much as I'd like to, but that is past the point. This message is about my frustrations with KFC chicken... so from one chicken lover to another (although we love them in different ways) I warn you to avoid the dreaded place... or otherwise prepare for a dreadful experience. And please... if you ever prepare fried chicken your self, do it well... there's enough bad meat in this world already. LOVE YOU BYE BYE!!! <3333

nikkipolani said...

So so so sweet. Thanks for this intimate glimpse of the chicas' emergence.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the new chicas! Beautiful pictures, Natalie.

So sorry about your Ratty-Rat.

Ruth

Tracy said...

Sooo, sooo sweet... what a treat to see! Congrats on the new additions! :o) ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing. I have kept hens, but never hatched eggs. You make me want to do so. What are you using for bedding?

warren said...

That is soooo cool! I would love to get to watch that over and over. Very cool!